Chapter Three: The Gate to Darkness
301 Words
Halloween night finally arrived. A crisp wind whipped through the streets of New York as Lila and her nine friends piled into two cars, laughter and nervous excitement buzzing through the air. Soon, they reached the outskirts of Ravensridge, where Blackthorn Castle loomed like a shadow against the moonlit sky.
The castle gates were rusted and covered in ivy, towering high above them. Lila pushed the gate open, and it groaned loudly on its ancient hinges. The sound echoed across the empty grounds.
“Spooky!” Eli yelled, striking a dramatic pose, mocking the atmosphere.
The group burst into laughter, the tension easing for a moment. Sophie shivered and hugged her jacket tighter, but even she couldn’t help a nervous giggle.
“Alright,” Lila said, her voice excited. “Let’s do this!”
One by one, they stepped through the gate, the gravel crunching beneath their feet. The castle door, massive and carved with strange symbols, loomed ahead. With a deep breath, Lila pushed it open, and they entered the dark, cavernous hall.
The air inside was cold and smelled of mildew. Shadows danced across the walls as their flashlights pierced the gloom.
Suddenly, the door shut behind them with a deafening slam, echoing through the hall.
Everyone froze. A hush fell over the group.
Kai stepped forward, trying to sound confident. “It’s… it’s just the wind,” he said, giving a small laugh. “Nothing to worry about. We’re fine. Come on, let’s keep moving.”
Milo muttered under his breath, “Yeah… wind that shuts doors like that.”
Despite the laughter that tried to follow, a creeping unease settled over the friends. The castle seemed to breathe around them, its shadows stretching longer, waiting, watching.
And somewhere in the darkness, the spirit of Lord Malrick stirred…
- Writer
